Saturday, March 29, 2014

First 40°F, 50°F, and 60°F Days in Fairbanks

Fairbanks has already experienced their first 40° day of the season. In fact, there have been quite a few 40°F days in the last week or so. There were 71 days between the last 40°F day in the Fall and the first 40°F day of the Spring. This is more than 40 days less than the 1981-2010 normal value. Looking ahead to the first 50°F day, it normally occurs on April 3rd. Through March 29th, there have been 152 days since the last 50°F day in the Fall. To reach the normal value would require another month of sub-50°F days. The 60°F seems more attainable. If Fairbanks makes it to the normal date, they will (slightly) exceed the normal length of time between 60°F days. Figure 1 shows the number of days between the three temperature thresholds. Figure 2 shows a chart of the annual number of day between the three temperature thresholds in Fairbanks. For comparison, Figure 3 shows a chart of the annual number of day between the three temperature thresholds in Anchorage. Interestingly, for both cities, the 50°F time is about the same over the long term. The length of time between 40°F days is longer at Fairbanks and the length of time between 60°F days is longer at Anchorage.

Figure 1. Number of days between 40°F, 50°F, and 60°F days in Fairbanks.

Figure 2. Annual chart of the length between 40°F, 50°F, and 60°F days in Fairbanks.

Figure 3. Annual chart of the length between 40°F, 50°F, and 60°F days in Anchorage.